Sevanavank

Sevanavank or Mariamashen sanctuary was founded in 305 and extended in the 9thcentury. This site was inhabited already in the New Stone and Bronze Ages. The sanctuary was founded by Grigor Lusavorich, and the oldest church is St.Harutyun dating back to 305 (stands on a former pagan site).
The complex consists of St.Arakelots(874) and St.Karapet churches, ruins of a gavit, partially reconstructed monk cells, foundation of St.Harutyun church. St.Astvatsatsin church (stood here until 1930) and adjacent gavit don't exist anymore.
Princess Mariam, prince of Syunik Vasak Gabur's wife and Ashot A Bagratuni's daughter, vowed to build 30 churches in memory of her late husband who passed away young. After lots of hardship she receives an order in her dream to build a church after the twelve apostles and establish a congregation. In her vision twelve apostles flew over the lake and showed her the place where the church should be build. As the historical sources say, at that time the pious Mesrop Mashtots was the virtue of Sevan lake. Princess Mariam went to Saint Mashtots to get his approval to build the churches – one in the name of the saint apostles and another in the name of Saint Astvatsatsin. Based on this story Armenian writer Levon Shant later wrote his play 'Ancient Gods'.
Carved capitals of gavit's columns are displayed in the History Museum of Armenia and Hermitage. Supposedly they were brought from the palace. The remains of the church can be found at the hilltop.
Many cross-stones and their fragments can still be found at Sevanavank monastery. The most remarkable are those made from a fragile green-colored stone brought from Sevan quarries.
Mariam princess's cell is located in the St.Arakelots church of Sevanavank complex. It was positioned high up so that the princess could follow the mass from above. The reason was that in those days women were not allowed to follow the holy mass in the monasteries. But because St.Arakelots was built by the princess, she was allowed to enter only that cell and follow the mass from there.
According to the history, Ashot Erkat's cross, which he always carried with him during the battles, was kept at Sevanavank. The cross symbolized his victories. Nowadays this cross is kept at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, and its copy circulates among military bases at the disposal of the diocesan leadership.
According to a legend, one of the prayers of the Armenian Apostolic Church was written at Sevanavank. 'Grant us, Lord'is a beautiful song-prayer that was famous among Ashot Erkat's soldiers and that 'granted'them a victory over Arab armies. Armenian church considers this prayer very powerful.
Locals say that there was another church next to the Vazgenyats religious seminary. The Soviet government used its stones to build the 'Writers'Holiday Home'.

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